BOX SCORE

ST. LOUIS, MO. – The Calvin ACHA D3 hockey team opened its tournament trail with a 3-2 victory over Dartmouth College Thursday afternoon.

The contest was the first of three successive pool play games for the Knights who will play rival Hope on Friday and Sacred Heart University on Saturday with the winner of the pool advancing into the national semifinals next week.

Calvin (20-8-1) took a 2-0 first period lead. The Knights got on the scoreboard eight minutes in as junior Christopher Bebelos scored off a feed from sophomore Harry Ottsen.

Freshman Tomas Postal then scored a short-handed goal in the closing minutes of the first period to put the Knights up 2-0.

Dartmouth got a goal in the opening moments of the second period and another in the closing minutes to tie the score 2-2 heading into the final period of play.

The game remained tied until the final two minutes when sophomore Drew Klomparens took a lead pass and made a rush up the ice through the left wing. In the attacking zone, Klomparens unleashed a sharp wrist shot that beat the Dartmouth goalie low to give the Knights a 3-2 lead with just 1:53 left in regulation.

Calvin's defense held strong down the stretch to seal the win.

Calvin had a 37-21 shots at goal advantage. Junior Garrett Walker came up with 19 saves in goal for the Knights in the win.

COACHES COMMENT: "Super happy with how we played," said Calvin head coach Austin Huizenga. "Dartmouth is a good team with some really talented players. We were able to utilize our depth in the third (period) there and keep the pressure up. We will enjoy this win and gear up for Hope tomorrow."

NEXT UP: Calvin will face rival Hope at 5:45 p.m. (CST) on Friday on day two of pool play.